A Fun New Bag~

I recently tested a fun bag for Svetlana @ S.o.t.a.k. Handmade Blog and I loved it!

I tested her Alice Purse using Kraft-Tex, so I did make a few minor changes to accommodate the Kraft-Tex, but nothing major. It sewed like a dream!

The woven fabric I used for the top was a remnant I had picked up a while ago, and it seemed perfect for this bag. 

Sorry this last photo is kind of dark~ I took that one on a rainy day and then waited a week for the sun to come by to take the others. LOL

Please stop by Svetlana's blog and view all the pattern tester bags~ I can't choose a favorite!

Also, the pattern is on sale for 48 hours~ the link is in her blog post.

I just got back from a mini retreat where I sewed like crazy! LOL So more photos will be coming soon.

Until next time~

Happy stitchin'!!

Just For Fun Sewing~

 Have you seen the wall of mini quilts in various blogger's sewing rooms?

Always wanted one of your own? Well, now is your chance!  :-)

Caroline at She Can Sew blog is doing a monthly mini sew along. 

I wanted to make a mini a month last year, but never got started. This sew along is just the kick in the pants I needed! LOL

Here is my January Friendship Star mini~

Now I can hardly wait until February's mini! LOL

Jennie @ Clover and Violet is doing a Flora Supply Case sew along.

She started a couple weeks ago, but it is pretty informal and you can easily catch up.

I am making this for ME!  I always wanted a little zippered case with a calendar

in my purse and this will work perfectly.

I have everything cut for the inside and the interfacings fused down~

now it is time for some fun sewing! :-) 

In between my little bits of fun, I am continuing to work on En Provence~ Bonnie Hunter's Mystery Quilt. I just have a few more hour glass blocks to put together and it will be quilt assembly time. :-) Yay!!

I hope you are taking time for a little fun sewing too!

Until next time~

Happy stitchin'!

Block Sewing~

Good morning from a frosty wonderland!

We don't have any snow, but we got the cold and frost, and well, after Christmas I am ready for warmer weather! LOL

I spent this week working on blocks.

I belong to a group of quilters called the 'Sunshine Quilters'. We started on the HGTV forums years ago and now we have a small Groupbox group. We make blocks for each other for charity quilts.  I am trying to get everyone's blocks made early this year as last year I ran out of steam toward the end of the year. ;-)

 These blocks will go into quilts for kids or Project Linus.  This gal makes charity quilts year 'round, and I really admire her for that! When all the blocks come together, the white will be stars. :-)

 These two will go into a wheelchair quilt for a Veteran.  This lady supports her local VA with her quilts~ another very good cause!

This gal is new to our group and requested 18" blocks to be made into NICU quilts for incubators.

I asked for Rail Fence blocks in red, white & blue and hope to do a Veteran quilt too.

I am also sewing along with Pat Sloan's 182 Day Solstice Challenge

I'm not sure if I will make all 25 blocks, or just enough for a twin size quilt.

This will be for my DGS.  The light background has tiny gold dots in it. ;-)

I am headed back to my sewing machine and the Bonnie Hunter mystery blocks.

I got a bit behind, but as long as I keep plugging away I will get there! 

What are you sewing?

Until next time~

Happy Stitchin'!!

A Little of Everything~

My first pattern test after the holidays was to help Liz @ Moments Designs

update her first pattern. The Up, Up & Away Passport Wallet can be used for more than just a passport!

To celebrate the first birthday of this design, the pattern is on sale on Craftsy until the 23rd of January. 

Liz makes the majority of her bags in faux leathers~ and she has a gorgeous collection! But her patterns are also written so you can use decorator weight fabrics or quilting cottons.  This time I wanted to venture into the faux leathers.  I found a remnant and gave it a try. Unfortunately, the remnant I found did not like my domestic machine!  So don't look very close at my stitching!  I learned a lot of tricks, so hopefully, the next time I venture into faux leathers will be better! ;-)

I also used my embroidery machine to add the buckle embroidery~ the machine loved the FL!

The buckle design came from Urban Threads.

The pattern has three different versions~ pockets on both sides, or two sizes of zip pocket on the right.  I chose to do the largest zip pocket on the right, you can tuck a large cell phone or paperwork behind the pocket. 

All-in-all I am very happy with my passport wallet. :-)

I am still plugging along on the En Provence Mystery quilt by Bonnie Hunter.

Almost ready to sew blocks! :-)  I have also been doing a bit of cutting and organizing for the upcoming year of sewing.  I went to Michaels and got some project boxes. I want my projects to be more 'grab & go' when we go out in the motorhome this summer. 

How have you started out the year?

Until next time~

Happy Stitchin'!

  

New Year Sewing~

Happy New Year!

Have you been sewing the new year in?

I am doing Bonnie Hunter's  En  Provence Mystery~

But I'm a bit behind. ;-)

I loved the colors she chose this time, and I am glad to see the final reveal. 

I do plan to change something just a bit. 

So far I have a box full of pieces, as well as an ironing board, cutting table, etc. 

You get the idea. ;-) I hope to work on it more today.

I also did a quick  pattern test for a cute little mini backpack~

                                       This is the Lily Mini Backpack from Nancy Stroop Designz
Nancy is an Australian bag maker and is doing a monthly subscription for her patterns. This is the January pattern.  It was a fun sew~ I don't think a beginner would have any problems as she is really good about explaining each step, giving little tips along the way.

I've made a few lists of things I hope to accomplish this year, but not really goals.  

I am better at list making than goal setting. ;-) LOL

Which do you find easier to follow?

Until next time~

Happy Stitchin'!